The principal outcome was to describe clinical characteristics of a transgender male-to-female (TGW) cohort followed for pre-exposure HIV prophylaxis (PrEP).
Few efforts and preventive interventions have targeted transgender population, despite them being at great risk of HIV infection.
This was a retrospective transgender male-to-female (TGW) cohort followed for PrEP at Bichat Hospital Sexual Health Clinic between February 2016 and January 2019.
The principal outcome was to describe clinical characteristics of this TGW population: modalities of PrEP uptake, treatment adherence and tolerance, sanitary system retention, hormonal therapy and STIs.
Data about age, ethnicity, language, sex work and sanitary healthcare insurance coverage were also collected.
Forty-nine TGW were included, with a median age of 33 years; 43/49 (87.7%) were from South America and 43/49 (87.7%) were sex workers. Forty-four 44/49 TGW (89.7%) had no regular healthcare insurance coverage. Nineteen out of 49 (38.7%) had a history of STI in the last 12 months. Hormone intake was reported in 16/49 (32.60%). PrEP with oral TDF/FTC was prescribed on a daily basis for 45/49 TG (91.8%). Two TGW discontinued PrEP for gastrointestinal intolerance. No case of renal toxicity or HIV seroconversion has been reported. Retention rate was high (71.4%), but average follow-up was 9 months.
Our data showed a very vulnerable population, with a high proportion of migrants, sex workers and with a low healthcare insurance coverage. Retention rate was high (71.4%). Further multi-component interventions are needed to improve global sex health approach, PreP follow-up and sanitary system retention among TGW population.